Daily Press publisher announces departure

Wednesday

Aug 13, 2014 at 7:15 PMAug 13, 2014 at 9:02 PM

Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

VICTORVILLE — Daily Press Publisher Al Frattura announced Wednesday that he will be leaving next week after nearly two years with the newspaper.Frattura has accepted a position running a portfolio of business publications owned by another company, based in Minneapolis.“It was a difficult decision to leave, but it's time to move forward,” said Frattura, who has been in the newspaper business more than 40 years. “I know that we have accomplished a lot in the two years I have been here based on the many positive comments I have heard from community leaders and our readers, but there is still more to do.”Frattura, whose last day is Tuesday, replaced Stephan Wingert in 2012 and oversaw the Daily Press, the Desert Dispatch in Barstow, five weekly papers and their respective websites.Frattura was at the helm in March when Freedom Communications sold the Daily Press and its associated media to New Media Investment Group, the largest owner of newspapers in the country. New Media owns Gatehouse Media.“I have to say what we have done was a total team effort and I want to thank each of our employees for their dedication and hard work,” said Frattura, a native of Ohio. “I have made many friends and I do plan on staying in touch.” “I have worked for many publishers, but I hold Al in the highest regard. The first time I met him I knew he was a true professional,” said Editor Steve Hunt, who joined the Daily Press in February. “He is a fine man and a great leader. I feel fortunate to have worked for him and to have been a part of his team. I’m only sorry I will not get to work for him longer. I wish him well as he moves on to a new chapter in his life.”Michele Spears, CEO and president of the Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce, was one of several community leaders who shared their thoughts on Frattura.“The news of Al Frattura’s departure was a surprise,” Spears said. “His leadership and generosity in the business community will be missed.”Spears said Frattura was instrumental in helping the chamber create a new business model for its bi-monthly Insight Magazine, which has proven to be very successful.“He's been a tremendous professional since his arrival and has been committed to the community,” said Robert Lovingood, First District Supervisor for San Bernardino County. “I wish he and his family well, and I look forward to his replacement continuing his same efforts of outreach and commitment within the community.”Paul Kaminski, vice president of Fund Development (Foundation) for St. Joseph Health, St. Mary, said Frattura is a consummate professional who cared about the community and brought a world of knowledge to the High Desert.“Al is one of those people you love to be around,” Kaminski said. “Always positive, always concerned with making things better and very supportive of the High Desert community.”Joseph W. Brady, president of The Bradco Companies brokerage firm, said Frattura was one of the most “down to earth publishers” he has ever dealt with."I have seen many publishers come and go and we are disappointed by his departure,” Brady said. “Al truly understood the challenges that the High Desert is dealing with and really believed in bringing all the players together at the right time.”Brady said Frattura and Hunt formed a great partnership as they worked together. “We’re very thankful to Al for leading the transition of the Daily Press and its collection of publications into the GateHouse/LMG family during the past few months,” said Bernie Szachara, senior vice president publishing/group publisher for Local Media Group. “His commitment to the community and our customers will be greatly missed. Our search for a new publisher will begin in earnest and we look forward to an announcement in the coming weeks.”During his time in Victorville, Frattura also served as vice president of Freedom's Pacific Region, also overseeing The Sun in Yuma, Ariz., the Appeal Democrat in Marysville and The Recorder in Porterville.Before moving to California, Frattura was publisher of The Record Eagle in Traverse City, Michigan. Prior to that, he held multiple publisher positions with the Journal Register Co., as well as several advertising management positions with the Gannett Company.Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.